Reading Matters Recommendations & Information for Parents

Transcription

1 Reading Matters Recommendations & Information for Parents

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3 The Library Catalogue The Library catalogue is called Eclipse, and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. To access Eclipse, go to the QES Homepage and click QES Library here The Eclipse homepage will then appear: Log into your personal Library account and keep up to date with your loans, returns, reservations, book ratings and reviews. Search the catalogue, including recommended websites. Watch short clips of your favourite authors talking about their books in Authors Corner. Keep up to date with what others have read, the Library Top Ten, reviews, Book of the Week, and keep posted with Library news and study tips in our News section. In addition to the features mentioned, Eclipse allows you to create your own reading and resource lists which you can save or print. You can search fiction by Reading Level and keywords to help you find books suitable for you ability and interests, and you can search by topic pages and/or keywords to help you with homework and research. Plus much more!

4 Library Resources In addition to Eclipse, the Library has many other resources, all of which are tailored to the curriculum: Factual Books Revision Guides Text Books Newspapers Magazines Photocopying Journals Fiction Books Graphic Novels/Comics/Manga Careers Information Computers Access to online databases including Credo Reference, Philip Allan Digital Magazines Archive and Issues Online We are proud to host and attend literary events as often as possible. As a result we have met some big names in Young Adult Literature such as Rick Riordan, Joseph Delaney, Cathy Cassidy, Darren Shan, Maggie Steifvater, Mike Garry, plus many more!

5 Recommendations Are you wondering what to read over the summer holidays? Struggling to find something that interests you? Have a look at some of these recommendations from current QES pupils.. Heist Society by Ally Carter I really enjoyed reading Heist Society, in fact i read it in less than two days. It is about a girl called Kat, and she is a thief like the rest of her family, but when her father is accused of stealing some valuable paintings, she only has two weeks to get the paintings and give them back to their owner. Will Kat succeed, or will she get caught doing the biggest heist in history? Year 7 Pupil The Hitchhiker s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams THHGTTG is a book for anyone, even those who do not usually enjoy sci-fi. Arthur Dent is the very understandably shocked and lost human, cast out into a galaxy full of oddness. From turning nuclear missiles into sperm whales and a pot of petunias, to finding out that we are the third most intelligent species on the planet (second being dolphins and first being mice); Douglas Adams takes the reader on an adventure that leaves you wanting to read more. Good job there are another 4 books. Year 13 Pupil The Spook s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney This is an on the edge scary story. It was nearly impossible to put down even at the scary parts!! Tom is an ordinary boy who needs a job and the Spook is the only answer. His mother is sure he ll succeed as he s the seventh son of a seventh son. Will he face his fears against Mother Malkin the evil witch when the Spook is not there to protect him? I would recommend this book to a horror loving person. 5/5 Year 7 Pupil Focus Magazine appeals to me because of all the facts. It s about everything, but mainly science. In one word? Wonderful. 4/5 Year 9 Pupil

6 Recommendations The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Despite a tumour shrinking medical miracle, Hazel Grace still feels like she s swimming in a sea of paralyzing depression, and spending copious amounts of time watching America s Next Top Model isn t helping; but when Hazel is forced to attend a cancer support group, her life changes for ever. It is there that she meets Augustus Waters, smart, cool and funny, and where Hazel falls tragically in love with him. Like its cover, The Fault in Our Stars is a vivid novel, broaching the universal themes of love and death with a real, yet humorous insight. Filled with bursts of utter tragedy, delight and enough metaphors to sink your teeth into, it s the kind of book that will fill you with so much zeal that you won t want to put it down. Year 13 Pupil The Recruit: Graphic Novel by Muchamore, Aggs, Edgington This is an awesome graphic novel. I had never read any of the Cherub books before now, and it has inspired me to read the next book in the series, Class A. The art work is really good as well!! Year 10 Pupil Bliss by Karen McCombie Bliss is a great book, the cover is great, and so is the story. Trust me, once you start reading it you won't want to put it down again. Bliss is by Karen McCombie who also has a wide range of other books. It has a bit of everything in it and is about a small group of teenagers that are meant to be going on holiday together, but do they? Over all it is a fantastic book. Year 8 Pupil The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon I really like Tom Gates because it makes you want to read more, I actually read this book in one night! It makes you laugh too!!! I would recommend this book to Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans and Dork Diaries fans because they are so similar! This story is about a boy called Tom Gates and he is writing about his life and his sister and school. Once you have read this book, you will want to read the next book in the series!!!! Year 7 Pupil

7 Top 10 Fiction Titles borrowed from the QES Library in 2012/13 1.) The Spook s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney 2.) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 3.) The Enemy by Charlie Higson 4.) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney 5.) Gone by Michael Grant 6.) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 7.) Department 19 by Will Hill 8.) Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney 9.) Simpsons Comic Barn Burner by Matt Groening 10.) Guardian Angel by Robert Muchamore Non-Fiction Titles borrowed from the QES Library in 2012/13 1.) 23 Things They Don t Tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang 2.) Stalin and Stalinism by Alan Wood 3.) Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege by Dan Mills 4.) An Introduction to Political Philosophy by Prof J Wolff 5.) Chavs: The Demonisation of the Working Class by Owen Jones 6.) The Cold War by John Lewis Gaddis 7.) The Story Behind George Orwells Animal Farm by Alan Brown 8.) The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli 9.) The Particle Hunters by Yuval Ne eman 10.) Wayne Rooney: My Story by Wayne Rooney

8 Further Information I still haven't found anything that interests me, where should I look next? There are lots of places to find out about exciting reading material. Try some of these ideas and see where they take you.. Friends and Family ask them for recommendations, they know your tastes and should be able to help you find something that suits you. Websites There are lots of websites dedicated to inspiring reading for pleasure, for example: and (this includes a book Wizard who will give you a personal recommendation!) Plus MANY more! Local Libraries Your local public Library as well as your QES Library is an excellent resource. Ask the librarian for current and popular reading suggestions. Book Shops A real one, or online. Browse their selection, ask for recommendations from users and staff, or look at online genre lists compiled by other customers. Newspapers Read the latest reviews and keep up with new releases. Awards- such as the Carnegie-Greenaway Medal, the Smarties Award or the Cumbrian Secondary School Spellbinding Award. Try not to limit yourself- Some people believe reading is just about thick, dreary looking books IT S NOT! If you don't fancy reading a novel you can start with newspapers or a magazine, sports pages, game reviews etc. These could be online where you might also like to read e-books or blogs? Try general interest books like the Guinness Book of Records, or Graphic Novels such as the New 52 series from DC- This all counts as reading!

9 Reading at QES Reading is an important skill and one that underpins all aspects of modern life. But like all skills, you need to continue to work at it in order to get better. At QES we believe it is vitally important that all students continue to develop their reading and that parents are involved with that process. Over the summer we hope you will share books and other reading materials with your child. In September and throughout the year they will be given help to choose appropriate reading materials and time to sit and read in school, but they will also be expected to read at home. Pupils have access to the Library catalogue from anywhere with an internet connection, which they can use to create personalised reading lists appropriate for their reading level and interests. They can also use the system to write reviews and make recommendations to others. A good place to find inspiration is which has lots advice. Also many children, and adults, can find something they like from the Ology World books at Library staff, English teachers and Learning Support staff are on hand whenever possible to assist your child in making their choices and developing their reading. If requested, Library staff are happy to compile tailored reading recommendations for individual pupils. Maybe your child is reluctant to read, or maybe they have become stuck in a reading rut and don t know what to read next? In any circumstance we will try to advise and encourage as best we can. If your child is reluctant to read, or you would simply like more advice on certain books, then please the Library staff at: librarian@queenelizabeth.cumbria.sch.uk

10 Encouraging the Reluctant Reader At QES we are aware not every child finds reading to be their favourite pastime. So, if you have a child who is reluctant to read, how do you encourage them? Firstly try getting them to look at magazines, websites or books about things they are already interested in or enjoy doing. Information and general interest books are always a good start as they offer small and less daunting snippets of text and information. Get them reading at the right level for them. A book that is too easy will be boring, a book that is too hard will discourage them. Once they have got started, try to move them onto something along a similar topic that has more writing in it. Often fiction books with a humorous or fact based theme can help, something like Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney or The Comic Strip History of the World by Sally Kinberg. Read with them, talk about what they re reading and lead by example by reading yourself. Other titles which prove very popular with pupils who might not normally class themselves as readers have been: The Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy Billionaire Boy by David Walliams The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon How Loud can you Burp? by Glenn Murphy The Enemy by Charlie Higson Jamie Johnson books by Dan Freedman The Spook s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney The Guinness Book of World Records

11 Quick Reference Library Information Available Resources: Information books Fiction books, graphic novels & manga Newspapers, magazines & journals Computers DVD s & audio books Homework/research support We welcome your suggestions for new resources! How long can I loan items for? Books 2 weeks DVD s & audio books 1 week You may borrow up to 3 items at a time. You may also renew items if you need to borrow them for longer QES Reads Blog: Access the blog from the school homepage, or with this URL, to discover the latest Library news, rave reviews and reading suggestions, plus much more! Opening Times: Break Lunchtime How to find your resources Dewey made easy 000 s General, Reference & ICT 100 s Philosophy & Psychology 200 s Religion 300 s Society & Community 400 s Languages 500 s Science 600 s Technology 700 s Art, Music & Sport 800 s Literature 900 s Geography & History Events & Key Dates: Roald Dahl Day 13th September 2013 National Poetry Day 3rd October 2013 Book Fair December 2013 World Book Day 6th March 2014 Library Clubs Please ask in the Library for more details Year 7 Reading Club Year 8 & 9 Reading Club Creative Writing Club Spellbinding Stan Lee Excelsior Award Archives Club We re here to help! Contact us Librarian Mrs Holman/ Assistant Librarian Miss Sosnowsky We are available at breaks and lunchtimes in the Main Library, or us: librarian@queenelizabeth.cumbria.sch.uk

12 QES Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2HJ t: f: Queen Elizabeth School incorporated in England and Wales with registration number Registered Office: Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2HJ, UK